Ayurveda describes the aging process
in reference to age i.e. with increase in age there is an effect on the skin
as it changes at every stage of life and subsequently changes the appearance
of the individual.
Childhood to adolescence and youth
At different stages of life the skin undergoes changes as its
characteristics change with time. According to ayurveda a child's skin
changes at puberty. The hormones present in the body are very much
responsible for the texture of the skin and appearance. Sex hormones like
Estrogen leads to a soft and smooth texture, however the skin becomes
thicker than before and also more vascular. Also due to sex hormones the
production of sebum increases from the skin's oil glands and this leads to
acne.
Youth to old age
Besides aging sunrays also damage the skin, takes away texture and glow of
the skin. With aging the dermis becomes thin while the epidermis becomes a
little thinner. The loss of dermal thickness makes the skin of the elderly
people paper-thin and the blood vessels beneath it become prominent.
It is noteworthy that aging and sunrays cannot be stopped form occurring
and hence every person has to face it in life. In females the deficiency of
estrogen during menopause makes the skin loose its smoothness and soft
appearance. During youth the process of rejuvenation takes less time whereas
with increase in age this process timing becomes longer and longer. As old
age approaches the old cells tend to clump and the skin becomes rough and
scaly in appearance.
The effects of ultraviolet rays
As said earlier sunrays cause damage to the skin and this is a causative
factor, which is known but nothing can be done about it. Similarly ultra
violet rays also harm the skin and in more severe manner than the other
rays.
Ultra violet rays penetrate through the skin deeply, affect the dermis and
damages blood vessels in the skin leading to prominently broken capillaries
in the skin This way the dermis that determines whether skin is wrinkled or
not is unable to do so and these changes in the elastic fibers and
connective tissues in the dermis give an "aged" look to the living
body.